Connecting piece of a transport line

ABSTRACT

A tempered connecting piece is provided for transporting a viscous fluid, and includes an excess pressure release component, which separates the inside of the connecting piece from a discharge line and is fixed to an outer edge on the discharge line. The excess pressure release component is designed to release the discharge line in the event of predetermined excess pressure and a mixing element, which thoroughly mixes a fluid flow in the region of the excess pressure release component, is arranged in the inside of the connecting piece.

The invention relates to a device and a method for transporting viscousand thermally sensitive fluids through a line comprising heatexchangers, part-lines, connecting pieces, intermediate pieces,deflection pieces, distribution pieces, pumps, filters, etc.

The use of pressure relief devices is generally known. The usual meanscomprise for example bursting discs comprising a membrane, which burstunder the effect of a pressure which is higher than the normal operatingpressure, but is lower than the pressure at which a pipe or vesselitself ruptures, as a result of which a pressure relief is enabled withan external space.

Bursting discs are described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,113,U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,879, US 2008/0202595, EP 1 591 713 and U.S. Pat. No.7,870,865. Some bursting discs can comprise perforations in order toensure bursting-open at a plurality of points or along predeterminedrupture points, in order to free the relief cross-section to themaximum.

Bursting discs can be used in the most diverse devices that seek tocontrol the effect of the bursting discs. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,854describes a device which comprises a cutting arrangement with a blade,which tears open a bursting disc after a pressure effect, said burstingdisc being concave towards the diversion and convex towards the pressurespace.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,872,874 describes a bursting disc device with a convexbursting disc, which is pressed against a cutting spike when expandeddue to pressure.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,957 relates to a device in which a flat burstingdisc is protected against torsion.

EP 1 892 445 describes a bursting disc arrangement, which comprises aplurality of rings which produce a fluid passage under the effect ofpressure.

WO 2005/054731 relates to a bursting disc arrangement with a pressuredetector.

EP 789 822 relates to a pressure safety device for thermally unstableviscous materials, such as cellulose, water, NMMO(N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide) solutions, in which a bursting elementprojects into the interior of a transport pipe.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,046,280 A describes a safety element for a pressurevessel. The safety piece comprises a bursting disc, which releases adischarge in the presence of excess pressure and otherwise blocks.Located in the region in front of the bursting disc is a screen of aprotective device (engl. “disc protective unit”), which is intended toprotect the bursting disc. The protective device is a grid over which amembrane is stretched which prevents rinsing of the disc.

DE 26 58 225 A1 relates to a safety fitting for pipelines and containerswith a bursting membrane, which is intended to be supported against theoperating pressure by a supporting body perforated sieve-like. For thispurpose, the supporting body comprises a plurality of parallel bores inthe axial direction, through which a flow passes in the event of aburst. The latter prevent rinsing in the closed sealed state of thedisc.

GB 2 028 426 A describes a fitting with a bursting disc. This fittingcomprises a bore behind the bursting disc, in the direction of thedischarge pipe.

US 2010/305883 A1 describes a valve, in which a temperature sensor isprovided in the discharge region.

EP 0 789 822 A1 describes a transport pipe for cellulose-NMMO mixtureswith a bursting disc (13), which projects on a support into the pipe.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,776 relates to a heat exchanger line with an excesspressure relief device, wherein a bursting disc lies flush in the insideof the wall of the pipe, in order to bring about flushing of thebursting disc with transported liquid. This flushing is intended toprevent the formation of dead spaces in which liquids or othercomponents of the transported liquid are deposited. This aim is alsopursued in EP 789 822.

For the transport of viscous and thermally unstable or thermallysensitive materials, in particular those which are kept liquid only byheating and have a tendency towards caking during cooling or lead todeposits, the aim was, for example in EP 789 822 and U.S. Pat. No.5,327,776, to prevent spaces set back in a pipeline in which thesematerials could be deposited—referred to as dead spaces. Deposits infront of bursting discs were regarded as a risk for the functioningcapacity of the latter, dangerous excess pressures being able to occur.

According to the invention, it has emerged that the avoidance of deadspaces is not sufficient to protect bursting discs or, in general,excess pressure release components, including valves, against deposits.U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,776 teaches that the bursting disc, installed in apipeline, should be constituted such that the bursting membrane sitsflush in the wall of the pipeline. For this purpose, the pipelineaccording to U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,776 must be designed and constructedsuch that the through-going material mass pipe, as well as thethermostat jacket of the pipe, must be interrupted and a heterogeneousthermostat-control zone is present in the pipeline. This unsatisfactorythermostat-control zone (cold points in the course of the pipeline) hasan unfavourable effect on the flow behaviour of hot highly viscous andstructurally viscous polymer materials (such as cellulose/water/NMMOsolutions).

A further substantial drawback of U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,776 lies in thefact that the bursting disc described in the patent specification ofnecessity has to be welded onto a cylindrical support body. The flushfixing of the bursting disc in the interior of a pipe or in the pipewall is costly and requires the welding-on of the bursting disc by meansof electron beam welding methods. In addition, commercially availablebursting discs cannot be used.

It is an aim of the present invention to make available alternativepressure relief devices, which avoid the drawbacks of the previousdevices and enable, in a straightforward manner, the use of pressurerelief elements such as bursting discs and suchlike.

The invention provides a temperature-regulated connecting piece(“fitting”) for transporting a viscous fluid with an excess pressurerelease component, which separates the interior of the connecting piecefrom a discharge line. The excess pressure release component can befixed with an outer edge to the discharge line. The excess pressurerelease component is provided so as to release a fluid flow in thepresence of a preset excess pressure in the connecting piece. A mixingelement can be provided in the interior of the connecting piece, saidmixing element thoroughly mixing a fluid flow in the region of theexcess pressure release component. An excess pressure relief device fortransporting a viscous thermally sensitive fluid with an excess pressurerelease component, which separates the interior of a fluid line, inparticular a heat exchanger line, from the discharge line and is fixedto an outer edge of the discharge line, is thus made available. Theconnecting piece according to the invention is preferably installed in aheat exchanger line, wherein a fluid is transported in atemperature-regulated manner. The transport is brought about inparticular by a raised pressure in the region of 1 to 250 bar, whereinthe connecting piece according to the invention serves as an excesspressure relief as soon as the pressure exceeds a critical level. Theexcess pressure release component is selected such that, at normaloperating pressure, it separates the discharge line from the interior ofthe connecting piece in which the fluid is transported and, at aselected pressure, frees the discharge line, so that fluid can escape.The objective invention is further described by the claims.

The connecting piece according to the invention is used in particularfor transporting highly viscous and/or thermally unstable fluids, whichhave to be transported in heat exchanger lines in order to enable atemperature control of the fluid. A temperature control is alsoimplemented in the connecting piece according to the invention.

A previous problem with bursting elements for transporting viscous ortemperature-sensitive fluids was the temperature fluctuations caused inthe fluid line—even when bursting elements were introduced intoexternally temperature-regulated heat exchangers, such as described forexample in WO094/28213 A1. Inhomogeneities thus arose in thetemperature—but also in the viscosity profile of the fluids, which canlead to deposits or excess pressures. According to the invention, theconnecting pieces are heat-regulated in order to act on the uniformityof the temperature and viscosity, with at the same time the installationof a bursting element. It has been shown that, as a result of thedevices according to the invention, excess pressure release componentsare not limited merely to bursting elements, but rather othercomponents, such as for example excess pressure valves, can also beused. The temperature regulation can take place by means of thermalinsulation of the connecting piece and/or by means of heating or coolingelements (8). In order to keep the fluid at a desired temperature,purely simple thermal insulation may be sufficient if the fluid itselfcarries the desired heat for the transport, for example generated byfriction losses. The connecting element is preferably a solid block of aheat-conducting material with sufficient thermal capacity, so that, withexternal thermal insulation, a homogeneous heat distribution arises atthe inner walls of the connecting piece. In preferred embodiments,heating or cooling elements are provided, e.g. heat carrier lines, whichkeep the interior at a desired temperature.

A heating element is preferably provided in the region of the excesspressure release component in the connecting piece. By means of such anelement, a fluid can be temperature-regulated in the region of theexcess pressure release component, as a result of which hardening ofsolidifiable materials is avoided or the viscosity of the fluid can belowered and flushing can be brought about either by the flow of thefluid in the heat exchanger line or by the relief bore. By means ofheating, it is possible to prevent viscosity differences from arising inthe fluid in the region before the excess pressure release component orfluids from being deposited, as a result of which no exothermicallyreactive regions arise before the excess pressure release component whenthermally unstable fluids are used.

The heating element can comprise an electrical heating element,induction coils or heating channels, in which a heating medium can beconveyed. Alternatively, such channels can be used to convey a coolingliquid if the selected fluid is to be cooled in the region of the excesspressure release component.

The temperature regulation of the connecting piece is preferablyadjusted such that, in the interior during the transport of a fluid suchas cellulose/NMMO/water at 90° C., a temperature difference (temperaturespread) of at most 10° C., preferably at most 8° C., at most 6° C., atmost 5° C., at most 4° C., at most 3° C., at most 2° C., at most 1° C.,in the interior of the connecting piece, occurs at the wall sections,including the excess pressure release component, of the connectingpiece.

The connecting piece can comprise a mixing element, such as describedfor example in U.S. Pat. No. 7,841,765. The invention is not limited tospecial mixing elements, but rather various mixing elements can beselected, said mixing elements being accommodated in the heat exchangerlines. Use is preferably made of static mixing elements. The mixingelement should, in particular, thoroughly mix the fluid flow in theinterior of the connecting piece, in particular in the region of theexcess pressure release component. Temperature, viscosity and pressureinhomogeneities of the fluid are thus avoided, since the fluid isconstantly mixed and homogenised. The frictional heat generated by themixing elements is conducted away through the temperature regulation ofthe connecting piece. Standard mixing elements are static mixers, suchas described for example in WO 2009/000642, i.e. internallytemperature-regulated static mixers. Since, as mentioned above, thehighly viscous fluids can cool down in the regions of an excess pressurerelease component, as a result of which different temperature andviscosity behaviour arises, a different flow behaviour of the fluid inturn results therefrom. According to the invention, therefore, themixing element is introduced so far into the distribution pieces, i.e.over the region of the excess pressure release component, that a goodthrough-flow is also guaranteed in the region of the excess pressurerelease component, i.e. in the entire connecting piece.

According to the invention, it has proved to be particularlyadvantageous that the connecting pieces are designed and theinstallation of the static mixing elements is carried out in such a waythat an active influence on the flow in the region of the excesspressure release component arises or is forced.

The excess pressure release component can be a bursting element havingany geometry, preferably a bursting disc, which bursts at a presetpressure and thus frees the discharge line. Fluid can thus be dischargedthrough the discharge line in the presence of excess pressure, so thatno damage to the fluid line arises. It is also possible to use excesspressure valves which open at a predetermined pressure. Generally, theexcess pressure release component usually comprises a blocking element,e.g. a disc, which blocks the discharge line. This blocking element isshifted, displaced or removed or opened, e.g. by perforation orbursting, in the presence of the predetermined excess pressure, so thatan opening to the discharge line arises.

Due to the aforementioned measures according to the invention, use canalso be made of commercially available bursting discs as in theundermentioned design examples. The latter are preferably accommodatedin a holding fixture and positioned in a section of the heat exchangerline in such a way that the bursting discs are no longer part of a pipewall, i.e. part of the connecting piece, distribution piece. Inparticular, the bursting element or the excess pressure releasecomponent can generally be set back from the interior of the connectingpiece. A region in the interior that is offset from the fluid flow canthus arise. Fluid is preferably conveyed into this space by the mixingelement, so that a continuous contact of the excess pressure releasecomponent is brought about with the fluid flowing past.

As valves, use may be made of any valves, for example with a blockingelement which is held in the blocking position preferably by a spring ora shear fixing or a buckling rod. Under the effect of pressure, thespring, shear fixing or buckling rod gives way, as a result of which theblocking element is displaced and the discharge line is freed. Shearfixings and buckling rods (e.g. from U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,857 or U.S.Pat. No. 5,577,523) bring about irreversible changes during operation,so that the discharge line remains open when there is a following dropin pressure. A spring-loaded valve is able to close again when there isa drop in pressure. In the case of a shear fixing, a linkage, which isconnected to the blocking element, is fixed in position by frictionalresistance. An excess pressure is able to overcome the frictionalresistance and displace the blocking element with the linkage. In thecase of a buckling rod, a linkage is selected which is bent under theeffect of pressure (flexural buckling) and, according to the Euler'sformula for flexural buckling, permits a displacement of the blockingelement connected to the linkage.

The connecting pieces can be incorporated by means of various types ofconnection in a fluid line, in particular a heat exchanger line, such asfor example by means of flange joints, clamping joints, threaded joints,weld joints, so that the bond between the heat exchanger line, i.e. thesections of the line, can be produced. The connecting pieces can beproduced from suitable special steels, normal steels, highly alloyedchemically resistant steels, other metals and metal alloys, as well ashigh-strength, plastics which are process-resistant (i.e. chemicallyresistant, temperature resistance and pressure resistant). It is left tothe discretion of the person skilled in the art to design theseconnecting pieces with regard to temperature and pressure and to havethe latter incorporated into the design and production.

Use is preferably made of a bursting element which bursts open over alarge area at a predetermined excess pressure in order to ensure amplefluid exit. As mentioned at the outset, there are bursting elements, inparticular bursting discs, which, through the provision of appropriatefeatures, comprise predetermined rupture points in order to enablebursting open in a controlled manner over a large area. According to theinvention, all known bursting elements can easily be fixed in thedevice, since the bursting elements are not affected by processes havingan adverse effect, such as heating by welding. In particular, thebursting element is fixed by the lateral boundary. The present inventionenables straightforward fixing of the bursting element. Thus, forexample, the bursting element can be fixed, e.g. clamped, preferablyflange-mounted, in a holding fixture in the inner wall of the dischargeline. The bursting element can also be inserted into the wall of thedischarge line in the form of a partial bore (FIG. 3 a) as a wallcomponent. A fixing element, for example a flange or clamping flange,can be accommodated in the discharge pipe for the purpose of fixing thebursting element.

It has been found according to the invention that, when use is made ofbursting elements which burst over a large area, no drawbacks arise dueto dead spaces during the transport of viscose thermally sensitivefluids. Deposits are easily flushed out with the fluid when an excesspressure and bursting of the bursting element occurs. In preferredembodiments, use is made of bursting elements which burst open up toapprox. 70% of their area facing the interior of the connecting piece,i.e. of the exposed area between the hollow spaces separated by thebursting disc. In further or particularly preferred embodiments, thedisc bursts up to at least approx. 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%,70%, 72%, 74%, 76%, 78%, 80%, 82%, 84%, 86%, 88%, 90%, 92%, 94%, 96%,98% or up to 100%, i.e. the total area blocked by the bursting disc canbe freed in the presence of excess pressure.

Apart from the use of (any) bursting elements, it is also possibleaccording to the invention to make use of valves or, in general, excesspressure release components. The excess pressure release components,including valves, can be fixed in a holding fixture in the inner wall ofthe discharge line. The excess pressure release components or theirblocking elements can be suitably dimensioned for the applicationsintended in each case. Preferably, they can free at least approx. 20%,30%, 40%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 72%, 74%, 76%, 78%, 80%, 82%, 84%,86%, 88%, 90%, 92%, 94%, 96%, 98% or up to 100% of their area facing theinterior of the connecting piece in the presence of excess pressure. Theexcess pressure release components or their blocking elements can beconstituted flush or set back with respect to the inner wall of the linein the interior of the connecting piece. The flush embodiment isparticularly advantageous in the case of valves, since complete freedomfrom dead spaces is possible, even in the region of less than 1 mm,which is technically difficult to design for the fixing of burstingelements. The shape of the bursting elements of the valves is thereforepreferably matched flush with the inner wall of the connecting piece, sothat dead spaces do not arise.

The cross-section of the discharge line and/or the separating area ofthe bursting element preferably corresponds to at least 20%, at least25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75% or at least80% compared to the cross-section of the fluid line of the interior ofthe connecting piece.

In further embodiments, a cutting element, e.g. a (bursting) spike or ablade, can be positioned in the discharge line in such a way that, inthe presence of excess pressure in the connecting piece, the burstingelement is pressed against the bursting spike or the blade and thusbursts open. This permits the use of particularly simple and favourablebursting elements—without their own features for bursting open over alarge area, such as predetermined rupture points. By means of a spike ora blade against which the bursting disc is pressed in the presence ofexcess pressure, even the simplest bursting discs are able to burst openover a large area. Depending on the pressure that becomes establishedduring the transport of viscous fluids, one may speak of “bursting open”by means of these, in themselves, simple means.

The bursting element is preferably a bursting disc. Further burstingelements can be constituted round, elliptical, circular, square orpolygonal (in particular a regular polygon). As a rule, it involves flatdiscs. Simple bursting elements can easily be punched out of a sheetmetal.

The bursting element can be flat or curved. In special embodiments, thebursting element is curved centrally towards the interior of theconnecting piece or the facing area, i.e. concave or convex in thedirection of the interior of the connecting piece. The curvature can beincreased by the (excess) pressure, which leads to bursting or topressing against a bursting spike or a blade. In preferable embodiments,the blade is provided in the form of a blade cross. In the case of theconvex curvatures, the curvature can be reversed by the exertion ofpressure and cause stresses in the bursting element which bring aboutbursting.

A bore is preferably provided between the excess pressure releasecomponent and the interior of the connecting piece. This bore can beused for the controlled pressure relief of the interior space or fortemperature or pressure control. The connection according to theinvention, a distribution piece, can be provided with correspondingbores, in order that pressure and temperature can be inspected,controlled and monitored. For the conveying of highly sensitive polymermaterials (e.g. cellulose solutions comprising cellulose, amine oxideand water), it has also proved to be advantageous according to theinvention for an additional bore also to be provided in this connectingpiece, in order that the quality of the polymer material can becontrolled, starting from the preparation of the solution up to theprocessing section by section with regard to the quality of the spinningcompound in respect of the solution viscosity and spinning compoundcomposition and the decomposition behaviour. The bore can therefore be asampling bore. It is thus not necessary to incorporate a sampling pointdirectly in the fluid line. If a sampling point is provided, a speciallydesigned sampling valve can be constituted in such a way that noresidual material is present in the sampling channel after the sample istaken, since said residual material is forced back into the main flow.

In special embodiments, this bore is provided directly before the excesspressure release component. The bore can be used to carry away depositedviscous fluids before the excess pressure release component, e.g. forsampling, or to measure its temperature or pressure. In preferredembodiments, therefore, the bore comprises a temperature and/or pressuresensor. The temperature or pressure sensors can be used in order thatfluid is drained through the bore in the case of deviations from asetpoint temperature or a setpoint pressure. This drainage can becarried out continuously or sporadically. For this purpose, the releasebore preferably comprises a closable valve.

The connecting piece according to the invention can preferably be madeavailable in the form of a connecting element, for the connection ofpipes, in particular in the form of a completely assembled solid block.The connecting piece can be used in an apparatus connection, e.g. ofreactors, pumps, pressure vessels, filters, heat exchanger lines, heatexchangers, and/or extruders.

The excess pressure release component, e.g. the bursting element or thevalve, can be produced from various materials, such as steel, specialsteel, ceramic, sintering metals, aluminium, plastic, nonferrous metalsor precious metals. Preferred materials are all irons, iron alloys,chromium-nickel steels, nickel steels (e.g. Hastelloy materials),titanium, tantalum, silicon carbide, glass, ceramic, gold, platinum andalso plastics. Special materials are alloys with a high molybdenumcontent, or nickel, chromium and molybdenum alloys for resistance topitting and crevice corrosion or nickel-copper alloys with a hightensile strength. Material examples are Hastelloy C (high corrosionresistance), Hastelloy B (precipitation-hardening high-temperaturealloy), Inconel (resistance to stress corrosion cracks in petrochemicalapplications), Incoloy (high strength as well as resistance to hightemperatures and in respect of oxidation and carburisation), Monel (hightensile strength, resistance to corrosion).

In preferred embodiments, the excess pressure release component isprovided for the transport of fluids through the connecting element athigh pressures of at least 40 bar to 1000 bar, preferably at least 50bar, at least 70 bar, at least 100 bar, at least 200 bar, at least 300bar, at least 400 bar, at least 500 bar, at least 600 bar, at least 700bar, at least 800 bar, e.g. by selecting suitable materials or materialthicknesses and dimensions. In further embodiments, the excess pressurerelease component is provided for the transport of fluids through theconnecting element at high pressures up to at most 1000 bar, preferablyup to 60 bar, up to 80 bar, up to 120 bar, up to 250 bar, up to 350 bar,up to 450 bar, up to 550 bar, up to 650 bar, up to 750 bar, up to 900bar.

The present invention further provides a method for transporting aviscous fluid through the connecting piece, to which a connecting pieceor an excess pressure relief device with an excess pressure releasecomponent according to the invention is assigned. The invention relatesto the use of the connecting piece according to the invention or theexcess pressure relief device according to the invention in a heatexchanger line, in particular for or during the transport of a viscousfluid through the heat exchanger line. The connecting element can forexample be provided between individual components of a heat exchangerline for the transport of a viscous fluid. Thus, the invention alsorelates to a method for transporting a viscous fluid through a heatexchanger line which comprises a connecting piece, wherein theconnecting piece comprises an excess pressure release component, whichseparates two hollow spaces of the excess pressure relief device,wherein one hollow space is connected to the interior of the connectingpiece or the heat exchanger line, wherein the excess pressure releasecomponent frees an opening when there is an excess pressure in theinterior, so that a fluid flow between the hollow spaces of the excesspressure relief device occurs.

The viscous fluid is preferably thermally unstable. Thermally unstablefluids are for example cellulose solutions, such as cellulose amineoxide solutions, especially solutions of tertiary amine oxide and water.Such solutions can contain, apart from stabilisers, such as for examplegallic acid propylester, organic or inorganic bases, such as for examplesoda lye. Furthermore, such cellulose/amine oxide and water solutionscan also contain product-changing additives, so-called incorporationagents. Cellulose solutions, produced in the amine oxide system, arecharacterised in that they crystallise when cooled, but can be melted ata temperature of approx. 72-75° C. An example is a cellulose-NMMOsolution as described in EP 789 822. The fluid can be an aqueous amineoxide solution with differing concentrations. Thermally unstable fluidsare those with which there is a risk of an increase in temperatureduring the transport through the connecting piece or the heat exchangerline. Temperature increases can occur for example due to exothermicreactions, in particular chemical reactions, or due to the heat offriction during the transport of highly viscous fluids. Further fluidsare in particular solidifiable fluids, in particular “hot melts”, suchas polymers, polycarbonates, polyesters, polyamides, polylactic acid,polypropylene, etc. The fluid can be a thixotropic fluid, in particulara spinning solution. Special fluids have a melting temperature of atleast approx. 40° C., at least 50° C., at least 55° C., at least 60° C.,at least 65° C., at least 70° C., at least 75° C. The fluid can beconveyed at exemplary temperatures of at least approx. 40° C., at least50° C., at least 55° C., at least 60° C., at least 65° C., at least 70°C., at least 75° C., at least approx. 80° C., at least 85° C., at least90° C., at least 95° C. The connecting piece is designed for thetransport of these fluids above the melting temperatures—e.g. accordingto selected temperature-regulating means. The zero shear viscosity ofthe fluid is preferably in the range from 100 to 15,000 Pas, inparticular between 500 and 10,000 Pas.

The excess pressure release component or the blocking element or thebursting element is preferably dimensioned according to the intendedfluid flows (or pressures). The area of the excess pressure releasecomponent or the blocking element or the bursting element is preferablybetween 0.01 and 0.4 mm² per kg of the transported fluid, in particularbetween 0.02 and 0.3 mm² per kg.

The present invention is illustrated further by the following figuresand examples, without being limited to these special embodiments of theinvention.

FIGURES

FIGS. 1 and 2 show cross-sections through connecting pieces 1 accordingto the invention with a bursting element in the form of a bursting disc2 with assigned fluid line 3 leading past, which here is provided curvedleading out of the plane of representation, a discharge line 4, to theedge 5 of which the bursting disc is fixed, a bore 6, a bursting spike 7and a heating line 8.

FIG. 3 shows various bursting elements, i.e. a bursting disc (a) turnedby drilling from a wall block, a concave bursting disc, which burstswith increased forced bulging (b), and a bursting disc with a ruptureblade (b). Bursting discs b) and c) are fixed to the edge by clampingin.

FIG. 4 shows two cross-sections a) and b), with a connecting piece 1according to the invention which connects two heat exchangers 9, alsowith mixing elements 10, according to WO 2009/000642.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show cross-sections through connecting pieces 1 accordingto the invention with different valves with blocking discs 2 in a closed(FIG. 5 a, 6 a, 7 a) and opened (FIG. 5 a, 6 a, 7 a) position. Fluidline 3 and discharge line 4 and discharge lines 8 are also represented.Blocking disc 2 is connected to a linkage 9, which is fixed by means ofa shear ring 10 (FIG. 5) or a spring 11 (FIG. 6) or a holding fixture 12(FIG. 7), the latter in the buckling rod embodiment, wherein adisplacement occurs under the effect of excess pressure.

EXAMPLE 1

A connecting piece, as represented in FIG. 4, is used according to thisexample.

In this form, two heat exchanger lines (each 3 m long) are connected bythe connecting piece. A discharge line 4 is provided leading away fromthe connecting piece, said discharge line not lying in the regular flowpath of the fluid conveyed through the heat exchanger lines, but beingin contact therewith. A bursting disc 2 prevents the discharge duringnormal operation. In the presence of a critical excess pressure, it ispressed against cutting blade cross 7 and thereby bursts, as a result ofwhich the discharge line is released for the discharge of the fluid. Atregular intervals, the pressure and the temperature are checked bysensors before the bursting disc and samples of the fluid are takenthrough relief bore 6. A mixing element 10 brings about a temperature,viscosity and pressure equalisation of the fluid. The inner diameter ofthe heat exchangers and of the connecting piece amounts to 108 mm.

During operation, this element was tested with a cellulose-NMMO-watersolution (cellulose: 12.9%, NMMO 76.3%, water 10.8%, all % in wt.-%) ata temperature of 90° C. and a pressure of 30 bar. The solution wasintroduced under pressure into the first heat exchanger by means of apump. A filter was located at the end of the second heat exchanger inorder to maintain the pressure in the line.

No irregular temperatures and pressures were able to be ascertained ontemperature and pressure sensors 6 during the trial operation. Thebursting disc burst at a simulated excess pressure of 100 bar, as aresult of which the pressure fell below the normal working pressure.

Fluid samples were taken at regular intervals at relief bore 6, examinedwith regard to their thermal stability by means of DSC analysis andcompared with the stability of “fresh” cellulose-NMMO-water solution.Even after a running time of several days, a reduction of the thermalstability of the cellulose-NMMO-water solution in the region of thebursting disc could not be ascertained compared to “fresh” solution.

EXAMPLE 2

A polymer solution for use as a spinning solution with the followingcomposition was transferred through a heat exchanger line system,comprising heat exchangers and connecting pieces according to theinvention as distribution pieces, from spinning solution production toprocessing of the latter in a spinning machine.

The spinning compound comprising a mixture of celluloses of the typeMoDo Crown Dissolving-DP 510-550 and Sappi Saiccor DP 560-580 wascontinuously produced in the following composition: cellulose 12.9%;amine oxide (NMMO-N-methyl-morpholine-N-oxide) 76.3%; water 10.8%.

The preparation of the solution took place, after an aqueous enzymaticpre-treatment and preparation of a suspension had been carried out, byevaporation of excess water under vacuum in a reaction vessel at atemperature of 97 to 103° C., through which a continuous flow waspassed. Known stabilisers were added to stabilise the solventNMMO/water. The stabilisation of the cellulose solution took place in aknown manner with gallic acid propylester. For the safety-orientatedpreparation of the solution, the heavy metal ion content was controlledand a value of 10 ppm as a sum parameter (of metal ions and nonferrousmetal ions) was not exceeded.

The density of the prepared solution amounts to 1200 kg/m³ at roomtemperature. The zero shear viscosity of the spinning compound adjustedby the cellulose material mixing components can, measured at 75° C.,amount to up to 15,000 Pas. Depending on the processing temperatureselected in the spinning process, the zero shear viscosity can vary inthe range from 500 to 15,000 Pas. Due to the structurally viscousbehaviour of the spinning solution, the viscosity falls at spinningshear rates, depending on the selected processing temperature, to arange of below 100 Pas and is also very dependent on the celluloseconcentration in the spinning solution.

For the purpose of temperature measurement and viscosity measurement,polymer material was sampled on the connecting pieces at the samplingopenings during the passage, the bursting disc provided in theconnecting piece being dimensioned for a specific throughput per mm² ofbursting area.

Spec. bursting disc Viscosity dimensioning Temp. Viscosity deviationSampling opening via kg polymer material/ Temp. deviation± co in Pas coin Pas distribution piece mm2 bursting disc area ° C. in ° C. at 90° C.at 90° C.± Reactor 0.11 101.5 2.4 1270 98 After heat exchanger 0.08 96.50.8 2080 85 After filter 0.05 97.3 1.3 1550 73 After pump - 0.15 95.80.9 2200 67 distribution Distribution - 0.04 91.5 1.1 3650 54 spinningmachine

Deviations in respect of temperature and viscosity were ascertained by10 individual measurements and by taking the average value.

1. A temperature-regulated connecting piece for transporting a viscousfluid, comprising: an excess pressure release component, which separatesan interior of the connecting piece from a discharge line and is fixedwith an outer edge to the discharge line the excess pressure releasecomponent is provided to free the discharge line in the presence of apreset excess pressure; and a mixing element is provided in the interiorof the connecting piece; said mixing element thoroughly mixing a fluidflow in the region of the excess pressure release component.
 2. Theconnecting piece according to claim 1, characterised in that the excesspressure release component is set back from the interior of theconnecting piece.
 3. The connecting piece according to claim 1,characterised in that the excess pressure release component is abursting element, preferably a bursting disc, or an excess pressurevalve.
 4. The connecting piece according to claim 1, characterised inthat, in the presence of excess pressure, the excess pressure releasecomponent frees a large area, at least 70%, of its area facing theinterior of the connecting piece.
 5. The connecting piece according toclaim 1, characterised in that the connecting piece can betemperature-regulated by means of thermal insulation of the connectingpiece and/or by means of heating or cooling elements.
 6. The connectingpiece according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a borefor sampling fluid from the interior of the connecting piece before theexcess pressure release component, preferably immediately before theexcess pressure release component.
 7. The connecting piece according toclaim 1, characterised in that it has a bore for accommodating atemperature and/or pressure sensor, preferably immediately before thebursting disc, wherein the bore is optionally suitable at the same timefor sampling fluid from the interior of the connecting piece.
 8. Theconnecting piece according to claim 6, characterised in that the bore isa closable valve.
 9. The connecting piece according to claim 1,characterised in that the excess pressure release component is abursting element, and a cutting element, preferably a bursting spike ora blade, is positioned in the discharge line in such a way that, in thepresence of excess pressure in the connecting piece, the burstingelement is pressed against the cutting element and thus bursts open. 10.The connecting piece according to claim 1, characterised in that theexcess pressure release component is a bursting element which is curvedcentrally, preferably curved convex or concave in the direction of theinterior of the connecting piece.
 11. The connecting piece according toclaim 1, characterised in that at least one heat carrier channel isprovided in the region of the excess pressure release component.
 12. Theconnecting piece according to claim 1, characterised in that the excesspressure release component is clamped, preferably flange-mounted, in aholding fixture in the inner wall of the discharge line.
 13. A methodfor transporting a viscous fluid through a heat exchanger line, whichincludes a connecting piece according to claim
 1. 14. The methodaccording to claim 13, characterised in that the viscous fluid isthermally unstable.
 15. The method according to claim 13, characterisedin that the viscous fluid is a cellulose solution.